Energy Resource Aggregation Business (ERAB)

ERAB operators

To rapidly expand renewable energy as well as to stably supply electricity, energy resource aggregation businesses (ERAB) is in the spotlight, as it gathers and controls the demanders' distributed energy resources and make them function as virtual power plant (VPP).
Currently, adjustment of power supply and demand is mainly done by asking demanders to save energy when the supply tightens. In the future, advanced demand responses are required through diverse energy resources such as heat-pump water heaters, household fuel cells, air conditioning equipment, battery storage systems, and EVs. This report summarizes the current positioning, the challenges, and the outlook of ERAB.

I   Outline and Trend of ERAB

1. Outline of ERAB
2. Electricity Transaction Forms and Relationship with ERAB
   1) Economic Demand Response
   2) Market Transactions
3. Market Size

II    Environment Surrounding ERAB

1. Trend of Policy and Legislation
   1) Paris Agreement enters into force
   2) Energy Stratgic Plans
2. Electricity Conditions in Japan
   1) Power Resources Mix
   2) Output Control Status
3. Policy Trend
4. Technological Development for Social Implementation of VPP

III    Trend of ERAB Operators

• Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Company, Incorporated
• Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Incorporated
• JERA Cross Inc.
• Electric Power Development Co.,Ltd. (J-POWER)
• Urban Energy Corporation
• MC Retail Energy Co.,Ltd.
• ENERES Co., Ltd.
• ENERGY POOL
• TESS ENGINEERING CO.,LTD
• Shizen Connect Inc.
• KYOCERA Corporation

IV   Challenges and Outlook of ERAB

1. Challenges and Noteworthy Topics of ERAB
   1) Improvement in stability for Market operation
   2) Workload in the capacity market
   3) Lifting of the ban on the entry of low-voltage resources in
   　 the supply-demand adjustment market (FY2026)
   4) Individual equipment masurement
   5) Introduction of simultaneous markets
2. ERAB Market Size Forecast